News + Features

10 Pupfluencers You Didn’t Know Were Rescues

These stars prove you don’t need to be from a breeder to become internet famous

By Catalina Barrios

Social Media has been a phenomenon since its creation. It’s been a great tool for staying in contact with family and friends as well as be in the know on what are celebrities up to. It has also served as a communication and breaking news tool for knowing what is happening around the world.

Over the past couple of years we have seen a wonderful, unexpected arise on the Internet: more and more animals are becoming celebrities. They have thousands and even millions of followers and their owners enjoy pampering them as new found “stars”.

Something makes these pet “celebrities” different is that they are all rescued. Their owners enjoy posting pictures of their adventures with their loyal and unconditional friends, and even use their large audience to promote rescues and animal adoption. Maybe it’s finally time for you to start your pet’s Instagram account!

Let us know which one is your favorite. It is hard to pick only one. #6 is part of a celebrity “rescue” dogs family.

1. Gus and Alfie

These adorable dogs also known as the Pointer Brothers are very popular and adventurous. They are rescued dogs living in Vancouver, British Columbia. Steph, their owner, enjoys posting pictures of her adventures with her dogs. Their Instagram account has about 240,000 followers! What a wonderful second chance these brothers lucked into.

2. Toast

She is too cute, how could someone have abandoned her? Thankfully, she was rescued and lives with a beautiful family. Toast has no teeth and her tongue always hangs out. Toast was rescued from a Puppy Mill, which are cruel operations that over-breed the mothers and fathers and then discard them without caring for their health or happiness. With 378, 000 followers, it’s clear to see the internet has a lot of love for this once forgotten pup. #adoptarescuedog

3. Daisy Underbite

Daisy is a delightful rescued therapy dog. She was abandoned on the streets when she was 2 months old and found by an animal control officer. Thankfully a couple of months after she was rescued by a volunteer, she was taken to her forever home before being scheduled to be euthanized. She uses a wheel cart because her elbows, right shoulder and back hips are dislocated. She loves her family and they are thankful for having Daisy in their lives.

Their mission is to spread the love and positive message of animals with special needs through Daisy. Daily lives in Los Angeles, California and has 225,000 followers in Instagram.

4. Mr. Bagel

Mr. Bagel is a 7 year old White Mosaic rescued chinchilla who lives in Southern California. In his free time, he enjoys playing on his wheel, eating and relaxing on his mini hammock.

I do envy Mr. Bagel, I would love to relax in a hammock too. This celebrity chinchilla has over 110,000 Instagram followers! When we think of rescue pets, it’s easy to think of only cats and dogs and forget little guys like Mr. Bagel.

5. Charlie & Sawyer

Charlie and Sawyer are adorable rescued poodles who in New York, the city that never sleeps. Their hobby: enjoying their adventures with their owner, Paige. This photogenic couple has over 60,000 fans on Instagram. Well, now they have 60,0001 because I am their newest follower.

6. Muppet

I would love to have a dog like Muppet. His celebrity sister “Toast” (#2 on the list) is also a puppy mill rescue dog. He also has his tongue hanging out and enjoys spending time with “Toast” and her other popular sister “Pants”.

Muppet has around 63,000 Instagram fans.

7. Tuna

Tuna is a rescued 7 year old Chiweenie. He has an exaggerated overbite, recessed jawline and a wrinkled neck. In 2010, at 4 months old, he was adopted by Courtney Dasher who 2 years later created an Instagram account to post Tuna’s photos without realizing the huge support she was going to receive.

Followers: 1.9 million!!!

8. Ludwik

Guinea pigs can also be famous. Ludwik was rescued in Poland about two years ago by his owner Agata Nowacka. Agata rescued Ludwik from a pet store where he was suffering from pneumonia, conjunctivitis and a fungal infection.

He loves eating vegetables, especially broccoli and enjoys sleeping in his blue blanket.

Instagram Followers: 215,000

9. Turboroo

Turboroo was born without his front 2 legs. He has received unconditional support by his family who are working hard in raising money to build him a wheelchair suited for his size. With less than 1 year old, Turboroo has a life ahead surrounded by the love and care he receives from his siblings, a cat and a dog and his owners. One of his favorite things to do is taking naps.

You can like his Instagram page and be part of his community of over 225,000 followers.

10. Marnie

Say “hello” to Marnie, a 15 year old adopted Shih-Tzu who is more popular than many celebrities with an astounding 2.1 million Instagram followers. At 11 years old she was adopted from a shelter and was blind in her left eye. Marnie enjoys going for long walks and loves to eat broccoli, chicken, watermelon, and Greek yogurt, and doesn’t like being home alone.

She could easily be the most popular rescued dog on Instagram with over 2 million followers. I am following her too.

Which of these influential pets will you follow on Instagram? After discovering them for this list, I am now following them all! I am happy to know these pets all have a better quality of life and were given the second chance all animals deserve.